After initial delays earlier in the year, the biggest night in South African music finally returned. The 2025 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) were hosted at the Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg.
This year, the awards had a hybrid format, combining live and digital elements. The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) also moved away from the traditional large-scale gala to a more streamlined event, under the theme “Flowers For Those Who Keep Our Nation Singing.”
This year’s big winners were Thandiswa Mazwai and Goldmax, who took home 7 awards between them including Best Male and Best Female. The SAMAs also crossed borders this year, with Ayra Starr winning the Rest of Africa Award for The Year.
Here is the full list of award winners:
Album of the Year
- Goldmax – Play at Your Own Risk (Winner)
Highest Airplay Composer
- Kabza de Small – Isimo (Winner)
Duo or Group of the Year
- Takala – Black Motion (Winner)
Male Artist of the Year
- Goldmax – Play at Your Own Risk (Winner)
Female Artist of the Year
- Thandiswa Mazwai – Sankofa (Winner)
Newcomer of the Year
- Nontokozo Mkhize – Lindiwe (Winner)
Record of the Year
- Mthandeni SK ft. MaWhoo – Gucci (Winner)
Music Video of the Year
- Mthandeni SK ft. MaWhoo – Gucci (Winner)
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Solly Moholo (Winner)
Most Streamed Song of the Year
- Bassie – “Kwelanga 2.0” ft M Touch, Ranger, Amaza, Tman Xpress, LeeMcKrazy & Zimmy (Winner)
Best Adult Contemporary Album
- uKhisimusi – An African Christmas – Just 6
- Seven – Melanie Scholtz (Winner)
- Room For Everyone – Tony Drake
- Nonyezi – Nue Sam Nosipho Khuzwayo
- Look At You Now – The Morning After
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
- UMI – Zamajobe
- Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai (Winner)
- Nomthandazo – Zoe Modiga
- Isibusiso Sami – Ndu Shezi
- Indumiso YabeNguni – Mthuthu
Best Afro Pop Album
- Twenty Four – Nomfundo Moh
- Malik – Malik
- Isibuko (Deluxe) – Sjava (Winner)
- Inkanyezi (Live) – Sjava
- Collaborations With Friends – Dalom Kids
Best Alternative Album
- Unyazi – Yoav & Jabulile Majola
- Perspective: Black – Zādok
- Hindsight 2020 – Francis Soal (Winner)
- Emlotheni – Th&o
- Berge – Spoegwolf
Best Amapiano Album
- Your Piano Is Not My Piano – Vigro Deep
- Sewe – Kelvin Momo
- Ntsako – Kelvin Momo (Winner)
- Midnight in Sunnyside – 3 Mellow & Sleazy
- Inja Ye Game – Zee Nxumalo
Best Classical/Instrumental Album
- In the morning – John Lundun
- By Alle Skone Dinge – Chris Vale, Eugene Joubert & Franco Prinsloo, Marlize Hattingh
- Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper – Derek Gripper (Winner)
- A Season in Paradise – Vox Chamber Choir & Franco Prinsloo
- Awake for 22 Hours – Orecchiette
Best Collaboration
- Waze Wamuhle – Kelvin Momo
- Takala – Black Motion (Winner)
- Ematshwaleni – Kususa
- Stay With Me – Matt Davies
- Amalanga – Mas Musiq, Lawd Weezy & DJ Maphorisa ft TO Starquality, Chley & Kabza De Small
Best Dance Album
- The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion
- FINALLY FAMOUS TOO – Dlala Thukzin (Winner)
- Cr4zy!!.. – MÖRDA
- Dreaming – Shimza
- Caiiro – Caiiro
Best Engineered Album
- The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion
- Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai (Winner)
- Isibuko (Deluxe) – Sjava
- Reawakening – Keenan Meyer
- Feathers & Stone – Jeremy Loops
Best Gqom Album
- Tronics Land 3 – Mr Thela SIMPHIWE LEONARD SIHAWU
- The Rebellion – DJ Lag
- Play At Your Own Risk – Goldmax (Winner)
- NANDE 3.0 – DJ Sandiso
- Next Level – Lelowhatsgood
Best Hip Hop Album
- See U Soon Delux – Blxckie
- Red October: Induction Tony Dayimane
- Pray 4 Pitori Loatinover Pounds
- Audio 2D; Dear Darkie – Sizwe Alakine
- Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms – 25K (Winner)
Best Jazz Album
- uNomkhubulwane – NDUDUZO MAKHATHINI
- Terra Solus – Nick Ford
- Ndilapha – Nomfundo Xaluva
- Hope Dies Last – Peter Auret (Winner)
- Apho Kungenje – Ncesh Nonxishi
Best Maskandi Album
- Ngathi Nguye – Umafikizolo
- iPolotiki – Phuzekhemisi
- Angidlali Nezingane – Khuzani (Winner)
- Alingeni – Ntencane
- Amathambo Kagogo – Imithente
Best Produced Album
- UMI Zamajobe – Zamajobe
- The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion
- Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai (Winner)
- Reprise on 2nd Avenue – Qü
- iLadi – Linda Sikhakhane
Best Produced Music Video
- Umbuzo – Soa Mattrix
- Gucci (official music video) ft. MaWhoo – Mthandeni SK
- Tshwala Bam (Remix) – TitoM and Yuppe
- South – Blxckie
- Shekhinah ft Moliy – Risk Shekhinah (Winner)
Best R&B/Soul Album
- Too Many Promises – Mikhalé Jones
- Stone Cold Heart – Elaine Ndivhuwo (Winner)
- On Air – Filah Lah Lah
- It’s Clear To See – Clxrity
- Heartbreak Hotel (deluxe) – The Big Hash
Best Reggae Album
- Mekwei – Dread Lloyd
- The Rise – Anela Jahmena
- Flaws in Frame – Dimahr
- After All – LUWE DA LION (Winner)
- Area Code – Botanist
Best Rock Album
- VIR MEKAAR – Bloumoord
- These Blues Might Get You Too – MaxX & Love (Winner)
- The World We Know – Prime Circle
- OLD WOUNDS – The Man Motels
- Look At You Now – The Morning After
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
- Uyinqaba Yam (Jehovah Nissi) – Betusile
- The Journey (Part 1) Tebs – David Tebogo
- The Full Circle Revival – Malusi Mbokazi
- Rofhiwa Dzina – Rofhiwa Manyaga
- According to Grace, A One Man Show – Ayanda Ntanzi (Winner)
Best Traditional Music Album
- Mmakgodu – MmaAusi
- Miracle Child (Deluxe) – Makhadzi Entertainment (Winner)
- Kwanomthandazo – Sabu Jiyana
- Bakokota (EP) – Pleasure Tsa Manyalo
- Moleele – Keitumetse Mangate Production
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album
- Vaalsand – Pietman Geldenhuys
- Niemandsland – Ampie
- Eindbestemming – Spoegwolf (Winner)
- Land & Sand – Neil Sandilands
- Geraamtes – Majo
Remix of the Year
- Tshwala Bam – TitoM
- Skuta Baba Woodblock DJs Sicelo Belly Nkomo
- Mngani – Jnr SA
- Iza Mawala – Tycoon
- Hlala – Mpho.Wav (Winner)
Rest of Africa Award (SOUTH AFRICANS EXCLUDED)
- The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr (Winner)
- The Party & After Party – Bensoul
- Morayo – Wizkid
- Born In The Wild – Tems
- adedamola – Fireboy DML
Best African Indigenous Faith Album
- Re Kgoeletsa Magodimong – Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumlilo
- Morena Re Ya Leboga – JTG Gospel Choir
- Busa Jeso – House Of Mercy
- Ikutana – Barongoa Ba Morena
- Nkapese Ka Maatla – Di Bruin Gospel Projects
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
- Heavenly Psalms – Level 2 (Live at Goshen City Church 2023) SbuNoah
- Lindiwe – Nontokozo Mkhize
- Living Word – Mmangaliso
- Crosspower Experience 4 – Jabu Hlongwane
- The Glory – Takie Ndou
